Automatic lift for bathtubs



oct. 18, 193s. J. v STARK 2,133,587

V AUTOMATIC LIFT FOR BATHTUBS Filed June 11, 1957 v gif@ 'wxh/ Patented Oct. 18, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENTY OFFICE 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to bath tubs or kindred articles, and more particularly to a means in combination with a structure of this kind which will prevent injury to a person entering or leaving the tub.

An object of this invention is to provide in a bath tub an elevatable means which is disposed within the interior of the tub' and which may at will be operated to provide a platform or movable bottom upon which a person may rest either partially or entirely out of the water in the tub so as to eliminate the possibility of a person entering the tub from slipping upon the smooth bottom of the tub, as is the case with tub structures at present available.

Anotherv object oi this invention is to provide a structure of this kind which may readily be lowered into the water with a person resting upon the structure, the lowering of the false bottom being under the control of the person restn ing thereupon.

A further object of this invention is to provide a movable inner bottom for a bath tub which is so constructed that when a person within the tub desires to leave, the inner bottom may be elevated to a point either entirely or substantially entirely out of the water, so that if desired the body of the person may be dried without leaving the tub structure, thereby eliminating the possibility of the person slipping upon the oor of the bathroom, or slipping during the leaving of the tub.

A still further object of this invention is to provide in a structure of this kind operating means for elevating or lowering the inner tubI bottom which may be either electrically operated, or operated by a hydraulic means connected to the water system or other pressure means.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention will be more fully described hereinafter, and will be more particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the drawing, wherein like symbols refer to like or corresponding parts throughout the several views,

The figure is a longitudinal section embodying the features of the invention.

Referring now to the figure, .a tub lll is supported upon a pair of cylinders 15 which rest upon a oor or plane surface l5', and the inner bottom I6 has secured to the under side thereof a pair of shafts or operating rods I9. A piston 16 is slidable in each cylinder 15, and each cylinder 15 is provided with an inlet port 11 and an outlet port 18 in the bottom 80 thereof. A vent 19 is provided adjacent the top of each cylinder 15 to permit the free inlet and outlet of air on the upper side of the piston 16. The inlet port 11 is connecte-d by means of a pipe 8| to a source of fluid pressure supply, such as the Water sys- 5 tem of the building, and a valve 82 is interposed in the pipe line 8l. A valve operating rod 83 is connected at one end to the valve 82, and the other end of the rod 83 is provided with a suitable handle 84 which is disposed closely adjacent the top of the tub l0. A discharge pipe 85 is connected at one end to the discharge or outlet port 18 and to a suitable source of carry-off means, and a valve 86 is interposed in the pipe line 85. An operating rod 81 having a handle 88 is connected to the valve 86, and the two operating rods 83 and 81 are supported in a vertical operative position by means of brackets 89 secured to a wall of the tub l0' or to any other suitable stationary structure. A drain pipe D is connected tothe bottom of the tub I0 for draining the Water out of the tub I0.

'Ihe structure shown in Fig. 1 is operated by opening the valve 82 to permit the inflow of water or other fluid into the lower portions of the cylinders 15, thus effecting upward movement of the pistons 16 and a raising of the bottom I6'. In the present instance the pistons 16 will move upwardly a distance equal to the length of the cylinders, but if desired a suitable stop means in the form of lugs or the like may be carried by the cylinders 15 to limit the upward movement of the pistons. When the valve 82 is opened the outlet valve 86 is closed and maintained closed during the time that the bottom I6 is being raised and maintained in a raised position. When the bottom I6' has been elevated to the desired degree, the inlet valve 82 may be closed and in this manner, that is with the valve 86 closed, the pistons will be maintained in their raised position by the uid in the cylinders 15. When it is desired to lower the bottom I 6 the inlet valve 82 is closed and the discharge or outlet valve 86 is opened, thereby permitting the water or other fluid to discharge through the ports 18. The vents 19 will relieve the air pressure on the upper sides of the pistons 16 and also permit the free entrance of air when the pistons are lowered. 50

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and it is desired, therefore, that the invention be limited only by the prior art and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my invention,

what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

1. In combination with a bath tub or the like detachably disposed above a floor, a perforated fake bottom adapted to snugly t in said. bath tub for vertical movement therein, a plurality of cylinders in spaced apart relation attached to the under side of said bath tub and securely engaging the upper surface of said oor, pistons having shafts extending therefrom through the bottom of rsaid tub and slidably mounted in said cylinders, said shafts being firmly attached to the under side of said false bottom and Said cylinders having inlet ports co-operating with fluid pressure means and outlet ports co-operating with a valve outlet means, whereby the said false bottom can be raised or lowered.

2. In combination with a bath tub unit or the like detachably disposed above a oor, a coated perforated false bottom adapted to snugly t in said bath tub for vertical movement therein, a plurality of cylinders in spaced apart relation disposed between said oor and said bath tub and engaging the same, each of the said cylinders having a piston slidably mounted therein, said piston having a shaft extending vertically through the bottom of said tub and firmly secured to the under side of said false bottom, each of said cylinders having a vent in the side wall thereof, each of said cylinders having an inlet port co-operating with uid pressure means and an outlet port co-operating with valve outlet means, and separate control means adjacent the top of said bath tub for regulating said uid pressure means and said valve outlet means, whereby the false bottom can be selectively raised or lowered in said bath tub by using the proper control means.

JOHN V. STARK. 

